I firmly believe that these products are suitable for women of all ages, but I’ve noticed that a lot of ladies add “women over 40” to their search phrases, which helps them find us. Before I begin, I’d like to apologize (and grumble a bit) for those naughty little brats who somehow deleted my carefully prepared responses to your comments on the last few posts. I promise I’m not being lazy – I genuinely appreciate you guys taking the time to respond to my comments in earnest! As I mentioned in my last blog post, the rainy weather exposed a flaw in my closet. Ankle boots are great, but most of my boots are made of suede or textured leather, which makes them as impractical to wear as sandals on a really wet day. Clearly, I needed a new pair of over-the-knee boots.

I initially wanted a pair of tan boots, but as I strolled around the stores in Manchester trying on various styles, they all seemed to look a little …… rustic. Perhaps it’s because the classic riding boot style has dominated in recent years, so it may need a little rest (like the Chelsea boot) before it makes a comeback. Of course, this is just my opinion – some of you may completely disagree and I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments! Interestingly, in a recent six-page “Fall Boot Edit” feature in one of my favorite magazines, I noticed that I didn’t see any riding boots. Instead, all of the knee-high boots they singled out came with high heels:

While these boots are very pretty, they don’t fit my lifestyle or budget, but they did make me think. Riding boots are undoubtedly a timeless classic and I have a beautiful pair that I still wear on occasion, but maybe it’s time for a change in the closet.

As you all know, I have been known to go shopping with my eldest son and try on every pair of shoes and take pictures, which seriously tests his patience. On top of that, many of the pictures are locked up on the brand’s website, so I can’t get them out to share with you – sorry! Anyway, we went to Zera, House of Fraser, Hobbs, Office, M&S and Jigsaw and as I was narrowing down the choices, Mr. MC and my youngest son called to say they were on their way and stressed out. That’s when I suddenly remembered Zera and how much I love the leopard print flats I recently bought there. When we browse their selection, I’m always drawn to the fantastic ankle boots they’re putting out this season, but my son ended up showing up with two pairs of knee-high boots:

Zera Echo
and the
Zera Charm.

Both pairs of boots are knee-high . the Zera Charm (also available in black) is softer and suitable for those with thicker calves, but it’s the detailing of the Zera Echo that really appeals to me. The biker-inspired quilted design at the knees awakened a rocker-girl side of me that I didn’t realize I had. Let’s be honest, we’re all into the biker trend these days – whether it’s the timeless biker jacket, coated jeans with zipper detailing and biker-inspired stitching, or heritage brands going back to their edgy roots.

These boots must have been a hit because the store only had them in one size smaller. Luckily for me, they were made to order in my size and arrived at my local store today. I can’t wait to wear them on my first field trip. I grabbed my boots and rushed to the park as we realized a storm was brewing over the bay. I didn’t even have time to change first!

(Jacket: Zera; Sweatshirt: Whistles; Jeans: Next)

Here are some of the photos I took in between dodging showers. You’ll definitely be seeing more of these boots in the future. Also, for those moms who are busy with rugby or soccer, I’d like to recommend another great option. These chic leather boots are made with Gore-Tex fabric and are a practical alternative to rain boots:

Zera Mint

They are so stylish and practical that the sensible me couldn’t resist buying them. What a great value for money! If you’re curious about how to style your footwear with a specific outfit, like wondering which pair of shoes would look best with navy skinnies, be sure to check out our practical guide.

Entertainment GTX

Also available in black:
Or, if you’re into the cycling trend, these Goretex boots are a great choice (also available in dark brown).
And then there are these ankle boots – an absolute work of genius, and of course available in black.

I have to say, what a smart move by Zera to launch a range of stylish Goretex boots. It feels like they’ve really captured what us 40-something women want. Let’s face it, many of us will be spending all winter outdoors – whether it’s going to cheer on the latest sporting event the kids are attending or walking the dog. It’s so refreshing to see footwear that’s practical and not overly stylish. You’ll find their full line of Goretex designs impressive.

Zera continues to surprise me. They’ve always been committed to innovation, but I think they’ve finally found their groove. I had high hopes for their previous collaboration, but it didn’t turn out quite right. However, this collaboration was clearly a success as this is the third pair of shoes I’ve bought from them this year! Even Mr. MC (who usually only buys shoes and sneakers from his favorite designers) was so impressed that I gave him a pair of Zera boots for his birthday – and trust me, that’s no ordinary gift.

Before I close, I have to share something that happened this week that I’m excited about. The beautiful Deborah Boland from FabulousAfter40 mentioned me in her post! We had a short interview and I was as candid as ever (yes, I’m talking about ripped jeans again) and luckily the interview was well received. If you’re coming across Midlifechic for the first time because of this post, welcome! It’s great to see new faces joining us as our discussions become more and more active. For UK readers, Deborah’s platform is full of practical advice on styling for women over 40, keeping up with trends and adding new ideas to your closet – it’s really worth a look.

Personally, we’re wrapping up our university visit to The Undecided this weekend. Leeds is the last stop on our seven-city tour, although he’s already leaning towards Bath – and we haven’t even been there yet! At least there’s good news: the stitches on his injured thumb will soon be removed, which means he’ll be able to take part in the geography tour to Iceland. It’s a decision of sorts, and means he’ll be joining us on vacation next summer rather than risking another injury by playing rugby. All the best!

Have a great weekend everyone. I can’t wait to hear from more new readers – the Canadians are way ahead at the moment, go American friends! Let’s keep the conversation going and I look forward to seeing you in the comments section.